Zulfiqer Russell (Bengali: জুলফিকার রাসেল; born 13 November 1977) is a Bangladeshi lyricist and journalist. He served as the editor of the online news portal The Bangla Tribune from 13 May 2014 to 31 January 2026. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the film Putro (2018). He was the winner of the Channel i Music Awards in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2022 and also received the Mirchi Music Awards (Bangla) award for the Song of the Year in the Modern Song category for, "Shabuj Chilo". On 2020 he was awarded CJFB Performance Award 2019 as best lyricist. He had also worked with renowned Indian singers and composers including Grammy and Academy Award (Oscar) winner musician A. R. Rahman. He wrote the official theme song 'Ektai Achhe Desh' of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence sang by fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh.

Early life and education

Zulfiqer Russell was born on 13 November 1977, in the Dhaka District of Bangladesh.[citation needed] He is the son of Abdus Salam (father) and Saleha Begum (mother). He studied at the Muslim Modern Academy, and graduated from Dhaka City College.[citation needed]

Career

At the beginning of 1993, Russell's poems were featured in a number of publications including Ajker Kagoj. His first poem was "Kofine Ojoggo Purush". He is the only lyricist in Bangladesh who received an appreciation letter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He wrote the official welcome song "O Prithibi Ebar Ese Bangladesh Nao Chine" for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup held in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. He penned around thousand songs since 1994, many of which were sung by prominent artists. He was one of the top lyricists of the year 2011. Russell served as the editor of the online news portal The Bangla Tribune from 13 May 2014 to 31 January 2026, and has previously written for publications such as The Daily Ittefaq and The Daily Janakantha. He has also worked for Maasranga Television and Bangla newspapers, Daily Amader Shomoy, Ajker Kagoj and Banglabazar Patrika.[citation needed]

In addition to working with fellow Bangladeshi artists, He has also worked with renowned Indian singers and composers including Grammy and Academy Award (Oscar) winner musician A R Rahman, he is the first Bangladeshi lyricist who collaborated with A R Rahman. He also work with Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, Javed Ali, Palak Muchhal, Benny Dayal, Zubin Garg, Nachiketa, Anjan Dutt, Indranil Sen, Rupankar Bagchi, Raghab Chatterjee, Anwesha, Chinmoyee, Iman Chakrabarty. Zulfiqer Russell wrote the official theme song 'Ektai Achhe Desh' of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence sang by fifty renowned singers of Bangladesh. He wrote a theme song 'Joy Bangabandhu' in the Hindi language for the state ceremony on the hundred-year celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This song is composed and sung by Academy award winner A. R. Rahman. Zulfiqer Russell wrote another theme song 'Hoyeche ki Sonar Bangla' for the state ceremony on the hundred-year celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He places himself as Publicity and Publication Secretary of Music Alliance Bangladesh (Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh).

He is also active in a various organisation like the Lyricists Association of Bangladesh (Geetikobi Shongho) where he places himself as Organizing Secretary. By this platform they want amendments on copyright law to stop the unauthorized use of lyrics.

Film appearance

Discography

ReleasedAlbumArtistTune/CompositionMusic ArrangementsProduction Company
January 1997Onnorokom ValoAhmed FaisalMoni ZamanMoni ZamanSangeeta
December 1999Akash ChhoaShampa RezaBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtek
December 2001Ekoi ShohoreBappa Mazumder & JewelBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtek
February 2002Apekhkhay ThekoKumar Bishwajit, Baby Naznin, Samina Chowdhury, Kanakchapa, Shampa Reza, Jewel, Bappa Mazumder, Asif & Kaniz SubornaBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtek
May 2002Aaj Brishti NamukBaby Naznin, Fahmida Nabi, Shampa Reza, Jewel, Biplob, Bappa, Asif, Pancham, Amitav KaisarBappa Mazumder, Biplob, Pancham, ApuBappa Mazumder, Biplob, Pancham, ApuSoundtek
November 2003Firti PotheyJewelBappa MazumderBappa MazumderBappa Mazumder
February 2004ChhelemanushiAsif, Agoon & BappaBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtek
May 2004Du' Poshla BrishtiIndranil Sen (India) & Bappa MazumderBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtek
February 2005SwapnoraniAsif & Kaniz SubornaBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtek
April 2005Ichchhe Korei EkshatheyAnjan Dutt (India) & Bappa MazumderBappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtek
January 2006AanchorFahmida Nabi, Shakila Zafar, Jewel, Tipu, Bappa Mazumder & S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulAarshi, Agnivenna & G Series
September 2007Abar Pothe DekhaAnjan Dutt (India), Bappa Mazumder & S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulSoundtek
April 2008Bhango Moner DanaBappa Mazumder, Jewel & Indranil Sen (India)Bappa MazumderBappa MazumderSoundtek
September 2008KheyalBappa Mazumder, S I Tutul & ArnobBappa Mazumder, S I TutulBappa Mazumder, S I TutulATN Music
September 2009PhoringFahmida Nabi, Bappa Mazumder, Mahadi & BishwajitBappa MazumderBappa MazumderATN Music
February 2010Ek Mutho GaanBappa Mazumder & Fahmida NabiBappa MazumderBappa MazumderG Series
August 2010PoroshporSamina Chowdhury, Fahmida Nabi, Bappa Mazumder & RupankarBappa MazumderBappa MazumderG Series
July 2012Akash Debo KaakeyTareen, Tapan Chowdhury, Raghab, Rupankar & Ibrar TipuJoy Sarker, Bappa Mazumder, Rupankar, Ibrar Tipu & Belal KhanJoy Sarker, Indrajit Dey, Bappa Mazumder, Ibrar Tipu & Mushfiq LituG Series
August 2012Poroshpor-2Samina Chowdhury, Kumar Bishwajit, Sonu Nigam (India) & Javed Ali (India)Joy Sarker, Pilu Khan & RupankarJoy Sarker & Indrajit DeyAgniveena & G Series
July 2013Ichchhe HoyFahmida NabiNaquib Khan & Pilu KhanTamal Chakrabarty
October 2013Cholo Baanchi, Benche Thakar Moto, Type: Soft MelodySamina ChowdhuryNaquib Khan, Pilu Khan, Rupankar & RaghabIndrajit Dey & Tamal Chakrabarty
July 2014Aaj Ki Brishti HobeTinaRaghab Chatterjee, Ibrar Tipu & Belal KhanIndrajit Dey & Tamal ChakrabartyLaser Vision
Bari Ferar TaraRaghab ChatterjeeRaghab ChatterjeeIndrajit Dey & Tamal Chakrabarty
AaraleyKanakchapaNaquib Khan, Moinul Islam Khan & Pilu KhanTamal Chakrabarty
August 2014Benche Thakar JonneRupankar BagchiRupankar BagchiIndrajit Dey
February 2015Neel Jhinuker KhamFahmida Nabi & Rupankar BagchiRupankar BagchiIndrajit Dey
July 2015Ekta Bondhu ChaiSamina Chowdhury & RaghabRaghab ChatterjeeIndrajit Dey & Tamal ChakrabartyLaser Vision
September 2016Amar Ichchhe KothayImran & Palak MuchhalImran MahmudulImran MahmudulSoundtek
June 2017Benche Thakar MaaneNachiketaNachiketaTunai Debasish GangulyAasha Audio
November 2017Lage Buke LageImran Mahmudul & AnwesshaaImran MahmudulImran MahmudulDhruba Music
January 2018Bhalo ThekoJayati ChakrabortyNachiketaTunai Debasish GangulyAasha Audio
February 2019Shesh DinTahsan & Tina RussellTahsan KhanSajid SarkerCD Choice
December 2019Keno Eto BhabchoImran & Palak MuchhalImran MahmudulImran MahmudulSoundtek
December 2020Chokher BhetorTina RussellRidwan Nabi PanchamRidwan Nabi PanchamZuTi Music
February 2021Parbo NaTina RussellTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi Music
March 2021Ektai Ache DeshFifty renowned singers of BangladeshSajid SarkarSajid SarkarThe People's Republic of Bangladesh
March 2021Amar Shonar BanglaA R RahmanA R RahmanA R RahmanThe People's Republic of Bangladesh
May 2021Akash Amar Jochona AmarPilu KhanPilu KhanRENAISSANCEDhruba Music Station
December 2021Hoyechhe Ki Sonar BanglaAditi Mohsin, Sharmin Sultana Sumi, Lincon D Costa & Jahid NirobPavel AreenPavel AreenThe People's Republic of Bangladesh
December 2021Agami 50 (Next50)Lincon D Costa, Nirob, Masha Islam, Tashfi, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Oyshee, Salman, Innima, Yar Hossain, Shanto, Sagar, NibirPavel AreenPavel AreenShah Cement
February 2022Ki Sundor Kore BolleTina RussellNachiketa ChakrabortyImran MahmudulSoundtek
February 2022Jani To Shohoj NoyFahmida NabiNachiketa ChakrabortyRidwan Nabi PanchamZuTi Music
February 2022Chetonar Ekushe Bangla-ke BhalobesheKona, Nirab, Masha Islam, Dipen Mahajan, Tonu, Yar Hossain, SagarPavel AreenPavel AreenShah Cement
March 2022Joy BangladeshA R RahmanA R RahmanA R RahmanBangladesh Cricket Board
March 2022EktuKhani Kostho DiteoSamina ChowdhuryNachiketa ChakrabortyRidwan Nabi PanchamZuTi Music
March 2022Ichchhe Holei DioImran Mahmudul and Tina RussellImran MahmudulImran MahmudulSoundtek
December 2022Bangladesh Awami League (Theme Song)Pantha Kanai, Chandana Mojumdar, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Masha IslamPavel AreenOffice Cell, Bangladesh Awami League
February 2023Kichhu Nei JaarTina RussellBappa MazumderBappa MazumderBee Emmz Workstation
March 2023FBCCI Theme Song (50 years)Pantha Kanai, Meer Shahriar Hossain Masum, Tashfee, Abanti Shithi, Nasrin NashaMeer Shahriar Hossain MasumTanveer KhanPop Up
June 2023Shey Ekta GaachhNachiketa ChakrabortyNachiketa ChakrabortyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi Music
June 2023Shudhu Bhalobashai Shob NoIman ChakrabortyTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi Music
September 2023Ami Bhalo NeiSamina ChowdhuryNachiketa ChakrabortyRidwan Nabi PanchamZuTi Music
April 2024SanjeebDalchhutBappa MazumderDalchhutSwadhin Music
April 2024Ekibhabe Din AsheAnweshaTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi Music
September 2025Eki Bhul Hobe Na AarShovan GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi Music
November 2025Obujh PakhiZubeen GargTunai Debasish GangulyTunai Debasish GangulyZuTi Music
February 2026Tumi BolleiBappa Mazumder & Tina RussellBappa MazumderBappa MazumderZuTi Music

Awards

YearAwardCategoryOutcome
2008Bangladesh Cultural Reporters AssociationBest LyricistWon
Citycell-Channel i Music AwardsWon
2009Dhaka Cultural Reporters UnityWon
2010Citycell-Channel i Music AwardsWon
2013Won
2017Mirchi Music Awards BanglaSong of the year (Modern song)Won
2018Bangladesh National Film Award for Best LyricsBest LyricistWon
2019CJFB Performance AwardBest LyricistWon
2022Channel i Music AwardsBest Lyricis (Thematic song)Won

External links